His Reclaimed Omega (The Mountain Shifters Book 9) Page 18

  As Nathan brought their daughter into the world, Kent could certainly see why some Alphas couldn’t take it. He’d seen his share of medical procedures on the battlefield and never considered himself squeamish, but hearing Nathan’s pained whimpers pushed him to the brink of his resolve. Kent found himself even more in awe of his mate as Kaitlyn finally arrived and all the pain on Nathan’s face turned to radiance in an instant as the nurse placed the squalling infant in his arms.

  “She’s perfect,” Kent laughed joyously, kissing Nathan’s forehead. “She’s got your blue eyes.”

  “She looks just like you when you were a newborn,” Connor said, his eyes brimming with tears as he leaned over to gaze at the fussing infant. The girl soon calmed down in Nathan’s arms. Her tiny fingers wrapped around Kent’s thumb.

  The door opened and the other grandparents spilled in with a cacophony of adoring coos and squeals. While Nathan usually shrank away from attention, Kent relaxed when he realized that in this particular instance, the omega was basking in it. Surrounded by all the people who loved them most, Nathan looked as secure and happy as Kent knew he was through the link between them that had only strengthened with time.

  Cameron eventually managed to corral his in-laws and usher them out of the room to give the young family some time alone. Kent settled in next to Nathan, nuzzling his mate. He’d never been prouder of anything in his life--not his military commendations, not even his own pack--as he was of Nathan in that moment. “You did so good. How’re you feeling?”

  “Tired, but great,” Nathan said with a weary smile. Kaitlyn had already fallen asleep in his arms. “Thank you, Kent.”

  “For what? I’m not the one who had a baby,” Kent chuckled.

  “No, but it’s only because of you that this day is one of the happiest of my life,” Nathan said softly. “For taking care of us both and making me feel so safe. Not every Alpha would do what you’ve done.”

  “Hey,” Kent said, cupping Nathan’s cheek in his palm. “You’re my family, both of you, and I wouldn’t trade you for anything. When you came here, I’d all but given up on that dream. There’s not a doubt in my mind that this--us--is how it was always meant to be.”

  Fresh tears slid down the omega’s cheeks as he closed his eyes and leaned into his mate. “I love you, Kent.”

  “And I love you, Nathan,” Kent said, leaning down to kiss Nathan softly. He swept the omega’s tears away and smiled. “You should get some rest before the grandparents descend again.”

  Nathan laughed. “That’s probably a good idea.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  NATHAN

  Mountain Ridge was almost exactly the way Nathan had left it, but even though it had only been six months since the omega had last visited, something had changed. His heart swelled with nostalgia as he followed Kent up the steps of the quaint home in the woods, but it didn’t feel like a homecoming. As much as he adored the family that swarmed them before they even had a chance to knock, home was back in Silver Lake. Home was the house Kent had built brick by brick with the hope of one day sheltering his mate and family. Home was in the eyes of the Alpha Nathan still couldn’t believe he called his own.

  Nathan smiled as he watched Kent’s face light up with pride when Nathan’s extended family gathered around to ooh and ahh over the infant in the Alpha’s arms. Nathan knew Kent wanted a big family and he looked forward to giving that to him once they’d had time to adjust to being first-time parents, but he also knew that no matter how many biological children they had, there was no way any Alpha could love his own flesh and blood more than Kent already loved their daughter.

  Hassan and Toval had come over from across the stream to greet them along with their four children. Jaspar’s and Lucy’s mates were with them, and it was the first time since Nathan could remember that the family had all gathered together. For once, the spacious living room of the Miller household was filled to capacity, but it was nothing compared to the love that was brimming over in Nathan’s heart, threatening to make it burst at the seams.

  “She’s precious,” Tyr cooed, standing beside his mate as Jaspar held their newborn son in his arms. Their toddler was playing with Winona and Lucy’s oldest, and the house was filled with laughter and screeches of joy. The verum omega looked from Kent to Nathan, his eyes full of warmth. “You two must be so proud.”

  “We are,” Kent said, gazing down at his mate in pure adoration.

  “Congratulations,” said Jaspar, gently rocking his son in his arms. “You both deserve all the happiness in the world.”

  “Alright, it’s time to eat,” Duke bellowed. The kids shrieked and ran to the table, nearly tripping the Alpha in their path. Duke snorted, wandering over to Nathan and Kent. “I’ll take the little anklebiter while you guys eat.”

  Before Kent could protest, Duke lifted the infant into his arms, grinning wide. “You wanna sit with grandpa, huh?” he cooed in a silly voice.

  “Some Mountain Ridge Alpha,” Nathan teased.

  “Trust me, he was this bad when you were little,” Connor scoffed, coming to stand beside his mate. For all his bluster, he melted the moment he saw his granddaughter.

  “I think we’re going to have to accept the fact that we’re not going to be seeing our daughter the whole week we’re here,” Kent said, shaking his head as he watched the new grandparents fawning over the infant.

  “At least it’ll give me time to show you around,” Nathan said, taking Kent’s hand. “I still don’t think I’ve given you the proper tour of the Southeast Unit.”

  “Tour, huh?” Kent grinned, slipping his arms around Nathan’s waist. “Sounds nice, and I’ve heard the guide is cute.”

  Nathan snickered. “You know what the last stop on the tour is?” he asked, lowering his voice as the others disappeared into the kitchen.

  “What’s that?” Kent asked, brushing his lips against Nathan’s.

  “The bedroom, of course."

  Kent’s purr made the omega forget how hungry he was. Just as he was contemplating how likely it was that they would be missed at the table, he heard a familiar sound that had once been the climax of his day. Nathan turned to glance out the window as the mail truck pulled away and he laughed, taking Kent’s hand to pull him outside. “One last time, for old time’s sake. The admissions secretary at Stone Ridge said they still had my old address on file, so maybe they sent their decision.”

  Since moving to Silver Lake, Nathan had become aware of the nearby university’s graduate program through Abbie and a few other wolves who were attending. While it wasn’t Chase Wesson, the program was only twenty minutes away from their home and after speaking with one of the researchers in the biology program who was also an omega, Nathan had realized that the program had its own benefits to offer. For one thing, he would be able to finish his Bachelor’s closer to home and the class schedule was far more flexible for a young parent. He still wasn’t sure he wanted to go until Kaitlyn was a bit older, but Kent had convinced him to put an application in just for the hell of it.

  As Nathan sorted through the mail, he realized how much things had changed since he had laid eyes on the letter that had altered his life forever. At that point, getting rejected from Chase Wesson had felt like getting rejected by his future. Nathan had been entirely incapable of seeing past it, but he couldn’t fault himself for that. Nothing could have prepared him for the future that awaited him, and he knew that he wouldn’t have been ready to accept it even if he had seen it all laid out ahead of him. This time, letter or no letter, he knew that whatever the future held, it was going to be exactly what it should be. How could he doubt that when the Spirits had already given him everything he’d never even realized he wanted?

  “Is that it?” Kent asked, eyeing the red envelope addressed to Connor in scripted handwriting and sealed with jet black wax.

  “No, I don’t think Stone Ridge is that fancy,” Nathan said with a laugh. “It’s addressed to dad anyway. Probably some party invi
tation. Oh! Here it is,” he said, surprised when he actually found a thick package with the university’s seal in the upper lefthand corner.

  “It’s big,” Kent said, grinning. “That’s a good thing, right?”

  As much as Nathan had convinced himself he didn’t care about getting in, his heart skipped in anticipation. “I don’t know…”

  “Open it,” Kent urged excitedly.

  Nathan took a deep breath and tore open the top of the package. He pulled out the letter on top and scanned over the contents twice just to be sure he was reading it right.

  “Well?” Kent pressed, looking as anxious for his mate as Nathan was for himself. “What does it say?”

  “I got in,” he said, still trying to come to terms with the words on his lips. “Deferred enrollment, like I requested. I can start whenever I want.”

  Kent laughed, gathering Nathan into his arms. He spun the omega around with a crushing embrace before setting him down and smothering him with kisses. “Knew it!”

  Nathan laughed, still in a state of shock. “I can’t believe I actually got in.”

  “You can’t?” Kent snorted. “They’d be crazy to turn you down.” He hesitated. “You’re gonna go, right?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t actually think…” Nathan trailed off. “Kaitlyn is still so young. I’d have to be there three days a week, and she won’t be starting nursery school for another two years.”

  “Hey,” Kent said, taking Nathan’s face in his hands. “I didn’t change careers so you could keep your dreams on hold. Whether you want to go or not, that’s up to you, but if you do, we’ll make it work. I can take Kaitlyn with me on the days you’re in class, and you’re not the first omega to go to college with a kid. Humans do it all the time.”

  “Are you sure?” Nathan asked.

  “I’m sure you can do whatever you put your mind to.”

  Nathan bit his lip, watching Kent closely. He took the Alpha’s hand and led him to the shed around back, checking to make sure it was empty before motioning for Kent to follow him inside.

  “What are you doing?” Kent asked.

  Nathan pushed the door shut behind the Alpha and kissed him fiercely, deciding to let that be his answer. Kent was quick to realize exactly what he had planned and chuckled against Nathan’s lips. “In the shed?”

  “Hey, this is the first time we’ve had time alone in weeks,” Nathan said, fumbling with his mate’s belt. “I intend to make good use of it. Besides, when you say shit like that, how am I not supposed to jump your bones?”

  Kent laughed, settling his hands on Nathan’s hips. “Is that all I am to you, a piece of meat?”

  “Shut up,” Nathan teased, kissing him again. He slipped his hand past the waistband of Kent’s boxers and relished the low growl the touch elicited.

  “You really like sneaking around, don’t you?” Kent asked in a husky voice, turning Nathan around to pin him against the door. The omega’s nails dug into the rough wood and he bit his lip to stifle a moan as Kent tugged his jeans down to his knees and slipped a finger inside of his mate. Nathan arched into him in approval, and as Kent’s thick shaft pressed against him, the crown slipping between Nathan’s cheeks, the omega felt the sudden, unmistakable shift of heat. While the change had once scared him, the context of it happening in Kent’s presence was entirely different.

  With Kent, Nathan knew he was safe. Heat or no heat, he knew his Alpha would never do anything to compromise his wellbeing, mind, body or soul. Kent would do what he had always done, putting Nathan first in every way, and in return, Nathan longed to give him everything. The rumbling growl of the Alpha’s response was enough to make him come then and there, but Kent reached around to stroke Nathan’s shaft as he guided his own into the omega’s tight passage.

  “Kent,” Nathan panted, arching back against his lover. Kent’s free hand moved to his left hip to keep Nathan from taking him all at once. The Alpha was always gentle at first, even when it was absolutely maddening, but Nathan knew Kent wouldn’t leave him unsatisfied. As the Alpha’s thrusts became more desperate, Kent’s length filling Nathan in the most delightful way, it was all Nathan could do to keep his pleasured moans down. “Please,” he gasped when he felt certain he had reached the limit of his endurance. Kent’s expert stroking proved that he knew his omega’s body even better than Nathan himself, but it was the Alpha’s knot that Nathan craved.

  Kent knew exactly what he meant, but he still taunted, “You want my knot?” in a low, sultry tone.

  Nathan whimpered and ground desperately into his mate’s touch. “Please…”

  Kent ran his tongue along the place where his mark rested on Nathan’s neck and his purr sent the most pleasurable vibrations down the omega’s spine. “Since you asked so nicely,” he teased, pressing into Nathan until the omega felt his tightly clenched hole give resistance to the knot swelling at the base of the Alpha’s dick. As much as he wanted to be knotted, his body required more coaxing. Kent gave his shaft a long, purposeful stroke and as Nathan’s orgasm swept over him, the omega’s muscles relaxed enough to allow the knot to slip in. He gasped sharply, relieved for Kent’s hand covering his mouth. The Alpha knew just how little control his mate had when the bulge of his knot first filled him up, pressing into his spot in the most maddeningly pleasurable way.

  “I love you so fucking much,” Kent panted. Nathan knew from the breathlessness of his words that the Alpha was close to his own climax and he wanted nothing more than to have Kent’s seed and his knot filling him. Nathan reached back, running his nails along the back of the Alpha’s neck as he arched into him one last time. The growl that tore from Kent’s chest was nothing short of orgasmic as Nathan rode out the wave of his second orgasm.

  They both collapsed, tied and panting, and Nathan was the first to speak. “God, I needed that.”

  “Mmmh,” was Kent’s only response as he nuzzled his mate’s neck from behind. “We’re tied. We didn’t really think this through, did we?”

  “No,” Nathan said with a breathy laugh. “I wasn’t really thinking much at all, to be honest.”

  “No regrets,” Kent purred.

  “None at all,” Nathan sighed blissfully. It remained true even after Kent’s knot had finally gone down enough for them to separate. They dressed quickly and Kent slipped off to get cleaned up while Nathan crept back into the house through the fire escape.

  “You know, you’re a bit too old to start sneaking in,” Connor said, leaning against the door to Nathan’s room.

  “Dad,” Nathan said, gulping as he climbed in through the window. “I was just, um, bringing in the mail.”

  “Mhm,” Connor said with a knowing look. “Just tell the ‘mailman’ he’d better not use my conditioner.”

  “This uh, came for you,” Nathan said sheepishly, handing the red letter to Connor.

  The other omega tilted his head as he eyed the seal. “The car loan people are upping their game.”

  “Open it,” Nathan laughed. “Now I’m curious.”

  Connor broke the seal and slipped what looked like parchment out of the envelope. His dark blue eyes flitted across the page and widened in shock for a split second before a frown curved his lips.

  “What is it?” Nathan asked as his curiosity turned to concern.

  “It’s a sick joke,” Connor said through gritted teeth. His hands trembled as he tore the letter and the envelope into shreds and tossed them in the wastebasket by Nathan’s desk.

  “Dad,” Nathan gasped, fishing what was left of the letter out of the trash. He froze when his eyes landed on the signature at the bottom. What was left of the letter had obviously been typed, but in the bottom corner Nathan had in his hand was a handwritten signature. “Mel…”

  When Nathan finally met Connor’s eyes, they were livid. “Who would do this?” he asked, horrified.

  “I don’t know,” Connor seethed.

  “What did the letter say?”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’
s just someone’s idea of a prank.”

  Nathan frowned. He was mated to the Alpha who had formerly taken pride in being the king of pranks, but there was nothing funny or lighthearted about the reaction that letter had elicited in Connor.

  Nathan watched his father closely. “Is this the first time this has happened?”

  “Yes,” Connor said quickly. Nathan couldn’t help but feel like Connor was lying to him. The omega ran his fingers through his long hair and straightened his spine. “It’s not like I don’t have my share of enemies, but I’m not going to let it ruin your visit. Let’s go back downstairs, it should be time for dessert.”

  Nathan hesitated as he followed Connor down to the first floor. “Are you going to tell dad?”

  “Of course,” he said softly. “But not right now. He’s already stressed out with this whole thing in Europe, and this is the first time he’s been able to relax in months.” Connor came to a stop, watching Duke coo down at the baby in his arms as the other adults talked in the kitchen. A wistful smile crossed the older omega’s lips. “He worries enough as it is.”

  “Okay,” Nathan murmured. He paused. “Dad, there’s no way that letter could have actually been from Uncle Mel, right?”

  “Of course not.” The pain in Connor’s voice made Nathan regret asking, but he needed to know. “Mel is gone. Whoever sent that letter just knows exploiting his name is the best way to get to me.”

  Nathan pulled his father into a hug, wishing he knew what to say. He wasn’t sure there was anything he could say to make it better. Tanner was the closest thing Nathan had to a sibling, and as he watched the beta laughing with Lucy in the kitchen, the thought of losing him filled Nathan with horror and fresh empathy for what his father was going through. To lose your best friend and then have someone use that very grief against you was as low as it got.